Bab Bab 27 · Lazy Jack

Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and he lived with

his mother on a common. They were very poor, and the old woman got her

living by spinning, but Jack was so lazy that he would do nothing but

bask in the sun in the hot weather, and sit by the corner of the hearth

in the winter-time. So they called him Lazy Jack. His mother could not

get him to do anything for her, and at last told him, one Monday, that

if he did not begin to work for his porridge she would turn him out to

get his living as he could.

This roused Jack, and he went out and hired himself for the next day

to a neighbouring farmer for a penny; but as he was coming home, never

having had any money before, he lost it in passing over a brook. “You

stupid boy,” said his mother, “you should have put it in your pocket.”

“I'll do so another time,” replied Jack.

On Wednesday, Jack went out again and hired himself to a cow-keeper, who

gave him a jar of milk for his day's work. Jack took the jar and put it

into the large pocket of his jacket, spilling it all, long before he got

home. “Dear me!” said the old woman; “you should have carried it on your

head.” “I'll do so another time,” said Jack.

So on Thursday, Jack hired himself again to a farmer, who agreed to

give him a cream cheese for his services. In the evening Jack took the

cheese, and went home with it on his head. By the time he got home the

cheese was all spoilt, part of it being lost, and part matted with his

hair. “You stupid lout,” said his mother, “you should have carried it

very carefully in your hands.” “I'll do so another time,” replied Jack.

On Friday, Lazy Jack again went out, and hired himself to a baker, who

would give him nothing for his work but a large tom-cat. Jack took the

cat, and began carrying it very carefully in his hands, but in a short

time pussy scratched him so much that he was compelled to let it go.

When he got home, his mother said to him, “You silly fellow, you should

have tied it with a string, and dragged it along after you.” “I'll do so

another time,” said Jack.

So on Saturday, Jack hired himself to a butcher, who rewarded him by the

handsome present of a shoulder of mutton. Jack took the mutton, tied it

to a string, and trailed it along after him in the dirt, so that by the

time he had got home the meat was completely spoilt. His mother was this

time quite out of patience with him, for the next day was Sunday,

and she was obliged to make do with cabbage for her dinner. “You

ninney-hammer,” said she to her son; “you should have carried it on your

shoulder.” “I'll do so another time,” replied Jack.

On the next Monday, Lazy Jack went once more, and hired himself to a

cattle-keeper, who gave him a donkey for his trouble. Jack found it hard

to hoist the donkey on his shoulders, but at last he did it, and began

walking slowly home with his prize. Now it happened that in the

course of his journey there lived a rich man with his only daughter,

a beautiful girl, but deaf and dumb. Now she had never laughed in her

life, and the doctors said she would never speak till somebody made her

laugh. This young lady happened to be looking out of the window when

Jack was passing with the donkey on his shoulders, with the legs

sticking up in the air, and the sight was so comical and strange that

she burst out into a great fit of laughter, and immediately recovered

her speech and hearing. Her father was overjoyed, and fulfilled

his promise by marrying her to Lazy Jack, who was thus made a rich

gentleman. They lived in a large house, and Jack's mother lived with

them in great happiness until she died.